The Emirates Lions have not wasted time in getting their newest recruit - Emile van Heerden - into their starting line-up for Friday night’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship outing against Munster in Cork.
Van Heerden - the talented son of former Springbok Fritz - joined the Lions from the Sharks recently and the injuries to Reinhard Nothnagel, Francke Horn and Pieter Jansen van Vuren staying behind for the birth of his child has left the Lions to reshuffle their pack somewhat ahead of the fixture.
Van Heerden will make his debut, while two players who were in the loose trio last weekend - Ruan Venter and Darrien Landsberg - will now be at lock for the Lions against Munster. Jarrod Cairns keeps the No 6 jersey, with Emmanuel Tshituka and Van Heerden rounding out the loose trio.
At the back, the injury to Sanele Nohamba means Morne van den Berg starts at nine, with Andre Warner on the bench while Rabz Maxwane’s injury sees Stean Pienaar return to the 14 jersey.
On the bench, journeyman Michael van Vuuren, who recently joined the Lions from Europe, has been included as hooker cover.
Marius Louw will captain the team once again.
Emirates Lions: Quan Horn, Stean Pienaar, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw (captain), Edwill van der Merwe; Jordan Hendrikse, Morne van den Berg; Emmanuel Tshituka, Emile van Heerden, Jarrod Cairns, Darrien Landsberg, Ruan Venter, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, JP Smith.
Replacements: Michael van Vuuren, Morgan Naude, Ruan Smith, Willem Alberts, Sibusiso Sangweni, Andre Warner, Gianni Lombard, Mannie Rass.